Rise of the Crusader

Merry Christmas...

.....

The expression on Raphael's face changed very quickly.

He raised an eyebrow, as he moved his gaze to the door, and as Elisa pulled Aurora in, Raphael glared at Aurora.

"I… I came to give you this." Aurora stuttered for a bit before then properly getting the words out of her mouth.

Elisa's eyes were already on the glass box that was in Aurora's hand, and as soon as she heard her speak, there was a flicker of excitement on her face.

"It's all there?" Elisa asked.

And as a nod came from Aurora, Elisa's lips curved into a smile. "Thank you so much, Aurora. How can I ever repay you for this?"

There was no hesitation from Aurora and, followed by Elisa's words, she shook her head immediately.

"It's fine, Elisa. I didn't do it because I wanted something from you, okay," Aurora added, and handed Elisa the box.

Suddenly, Elisa's eyes became teary.

Aurora was about to speak when she was pulled into a big hug. Elisa rubbed her hand against Aurora's back, and after a few seconds, she pulled out of the hug.

Raphael, who was standing a few meters away, stood with his hand folded across his chest.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't exactly curious about what could be in the glass box that could make Elisa act this way.

However, while he was curious about it, Raphael didn't inquire or speak about it. He simply stared at the two women in front of him with the usual poker face.

"I will be on my way now, take care of yourself, Elisa," Aurora said.

She turned around and was about to head out of the mansion when Elisa held her back.

"Wait, right here, I will be back," Elisa said, and before Aurora could even retort to her, she hurried towards Raphael.

Staring at the duo in front, Aurora slowly clenched her hands into a tight fists. She dug her nails into her palm, causing it to bleed, while she bit her lower lips hard.

Aurora was unable to hear any of what was being said by Raphael and Elisa, all she saw was Raphael shaking his head repeatedly, while Elisa held his hand.

There also seems to be the word, please coming from Elisa, and the expression on her face showed that she was asking something from Raphael.

For some reason, Aurora already got a wary feeling about what was about to occur, and just as Elisa turned around, her heart skipped a beat.

"Aurora, y-you…"

Elisa had only just spoken when she saw Aurora take a step backward.

She moved towards her friend who was now trembling violently, holding her body gently, she asked, "Are you alright?"

"I am," Aurora replied and then chuckled wryly.

And while the response was quick, it somehow gave the feeling that Aurora wasn't being truthful.

Elisa peered deep into Aurora's eyes, she seemed to want to say something, but after giving it a thought, she opposed to the idea.

It was a bit obvious that something was bothering and despite how much Elisa wanted to figure out what was wrong with her best friend, she knew Aurora wasn't going to speak in the presence of Raphael.

Elisa shook her head, "Anyway, I just spoke to Raphael, and he has agreed... You can come stay here with us."

The first part of Elisa's words had caused Aurora's heart to beat rapidly, but as soon as she heard the rest, it was, even more, worse than she imagined.

Aurora slowly turned towards Raphael, as of now, she finally understood why he kept shaking his head, and why that expression was on Elisa's face.

It all became clear to her… She couldn't necessarily blame Raphael for not wanting her here because even she didn't want to be here.

"Raphael, where are you going," Elisa muttered as Raphael began towards the upper floor.

There was no response from Raphael, however, he continued to walk up the stairs, acting as though he had none of what Elisa had just said.

Elisa smiled, before then moving her gaze toward Aurora.

"Don't worry about him, he will surely come around," Elisa said.

Aurora nodded her head.

But as she realized what she just did, her eyes twitched. She let out a rough smile and was about to speak when a blue owl suddenly made its way to them.

Gus stood on one of the four pillars, staring at Aurora and Elisa, with an interesting expression on his face.

Elisa didn't find anything weird in the look on Gus, she glanced at him for a bit, before then moving her gaze to Aurora.

"So, what's it going to be? Do we have to go get your back, or what? How is it going to be?" Elisa asked, seemingly excited.

"I'm not moving in, Elisa."

A second after Elisa spoke, and Aurora gave her response.

The look on her face showed that it wasn't up for discussion, there was no way in hell that Aurora felt she would live in this place.

Elisa sensed the change in demeanor from Aurora and said, "Is there something wrong, and why don't you want to live here?"

"And don't tell me, it's because you have a place of your own because I know, you don't," Elisa added.

Aurora frowned upon Elisa's words.

"Fine, but I still can't live here with you people," Aurora stated.

"I can't!"

Seeing the stern look on Aurora's face, Elisa's face turned teary. She held Aurora's hand gently, "We've known each other since we were five, Aurora."

"And we have been there for each other since then." Elisa paused, "I know, this might be selfish for me to say, but the truth is I need you more than ever."

"I'm not sure if I can handle this next few days without my best friend by my side, so, please… Please, Aurora don't turn me down."

Aurora bit her lower lips harder, seeing the look that was on Elisa's face.

She took a deep breath soon after and said, "I... Okay, Elisa, I will come stay here."

"But, only for a few days, that's all."

The previous saddened look that was on Elisa vanished instantly, and right after hugging, she let out a chuckle.

"Good," Elisa exclaimed.

As for Gus, it shook its head several times before flying away.

"What are you still waiting for, let's go get your bags," Elisa said. "And you also have to tell me where you spent your holiday because I came to your place, and you weren't there."

Elisa abruptly paused, she stared at Aurora, "I keep getting the feeling that you're hiding something from me."

"You have a man isn't it,"

Aurora's mouth widened, her heart kept beating fast, and even though she wanted to speak, no words could leave her mouth.

"I…" Aurora stuttered.

"I'm just joking, silly." Elisa chuckled.

"I believe, I will be the first person who gets to know when that happens," Elisa said, and with Aurora behind her, they soon left the mansion.